YES!!! The "I'm so happy" thread. 2009

[Anthony Darby]

 

[Arykana]

[Sorry, I'll have to start calling you "Erika".]

just drop me amail:-))

[ranunculus]

Another message bursting with good wishes for your retirement Paddy! As one who took the early retirement option when it was offered I can vouch for the beneficial impact it will have on your life - freedom from stress, an escape from the rat-race, time for contemplation, babysitting, childminding, ironing, washing, cooking, cleaning, chauffering, weekly shopping, D.I.Y., etc, etc.
Good luck with all your plans and intentions sir ... it takes a strong minded individual to REALLY enjoy retirement!    

[Lesley Cox]

Well over a year ago I sowed some seed of Epimedium hybrids, kindly sent to me from Scandinavia. I was a little disappointed though that only one germinated, last spring. So I was so happy to see a few days ago, that heaps more had appeared over one night (the original on the lower right) and within two days they are putting up new, true leaves. There are over 50.

[Paddy Tobin]

Ah, Lesley, the simple joys are hard to beat.

Cliff, thanks for your comment. I will certainly do my best to enjoy retirement.

Paddy

[Paul T]

Lesley,

Patience really is a necessity when it comes to seed isn't it.  I received a few different collections of Cyclamen repandum 4 years ago from a forum member.  I had one or two germinate the first year in each pot, a couple more the second year, and still more coming up this year.  I expect a few flowers from the oldest one this year, but I am not game to touch the pots because more keep germinating.  They're just going to have to live with the competition for a while.  Good luck with the Epimediums.  They're something I've never grown from seed.

[Ragged Robin]

Congratulations Lesley on your seedling success - with so many little seedllngs when will big seedling have to move out 

[Lesley Cox]

When the little ones are a little bigger, I'll pot up the whole lot individually.

[Ragged Robin]

Tomorrow we're off for a break in Italy - who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks  

[Maggi Young]

Nice to see Jazzy getting into the Italian spirit of things in preparation for the break..... have fun!

Don't suppose she'd be going if you were taking a far eastern holiday... but I'd love to see her efforts with chopsticks....

[ranunculus]

Obviously not pasta his best, Robin ... have a wonderful time!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Buon viaggio Signora Robin !   

Now, this is as far as my Italian reaches... provided it's correct.. 

[Ragged Robin]

e perfetto Luc, molto gentile di voi, arrivederci  

Thanks Maggi and Cliff I'll be taking my camera and hoping to catch some Mediterranean flora and fauna  

Gosh I'm slow only just twigged the pasta joke Cliff - love it 

[Paddy Tobin]

Robin,

Enjoy the trip and I look forward to the photographs.

One thing which we recall with amusement about our first holiday in Italy, it was when John was about 12 years old, was the attitude to children having wine/coffee with dinner.

There was never an eyebrow raised when John had wine with his dinner, indeed it was simply taken for granted. However, when he asked for coffee afterwards, as he normally would,  the waiter looked at us as if we were allowing our child to be abused, even calling other waiters to see the child who was being allowed to have coffee. We found it hilarious. He got his coffee and then, in what was to us a peculiar contradiction, was offerered a little taste of grappa - again without a blink of an eye. Funny how we differ one country to another over quite simple things.

Enjoy, Paddy

[Ragged Robin]

Thanks for you good wishes Paddy!

We are so looking forward to this break - we love Italy and, as you say in your amusing tale, the Italian way of life which has no rhyme or reason but is throughly enjoyable if you go with the flow!  The internet there, amongst other things, works on a wing and a prayer but the friendliness and generosity of the local people makes up for every peculiarity 

Best of all Richard (our son) is joining us there for a break between jobs, we last saw him at Christmas